Book Review: The Extraordinarily Ordinary Life of Prince: Everyone’s Good For Something

Several things make a children’s book iconic, such as addressing pressing social issues, speaking to adults and children alike, and standing the test of time. The only box that “Prince’s Extraordinarily Ordinary Life: Everyone’s Good At Something” remains to tick is the test of time. Fresh off the presses, Prince A. Sanders’ book continues to build a magically creative universe.

It is the second piece of a puzzle that reflects the author’s childhood. The series is imbued with a strongly personal note that immediately disarms the reader, leaving them open to the full magnitude of the experience. The short book is more than just reading; it is an experience of how the worlds of adults and children intersect.

Prince, seven, is at an age driven by exploration. He spends many recesses chasing the secrets and wonders of nature. He soon realizes to his classmates that Prince isn’t following the script. While his older brother is a star athlete at school, Prince fails to make a name for himself in the sport and live up to his brother’s reputation. Soon after, Prince begins to feel more of an outsider and, worst of all, a stranger to himself.

Prince eventually accepts that his path is different from his brother’s and from what others might expect of him. But he still doesn’t know where his own path will take him. The road is clear when he least expects it, during a ballet. When the whole family goes to see a performance, Prince is fascinated by the organic movements of the performers and longs to be part of the magical universe.

Although the path is visible to him, not everyone shares his point of view. It is common for parents and other adults to develop certain expectations and map out a life course for children. Yet, when making their own decisions, it is essential to respect their validity and offer support to achieve their dreams. The truth that Prince lays before us is that everyone can see their own path more clearly than anyone else. However, societal expectations and norms can cast a shadow, threatening the realization of one’s dream and destiny.

The images that bring vibrant colors to the pages of the book deserve special mention. The artist takes striking snapshots of some of the most pivotal moments in Prince’s life. It is certainly worth pausing at each frame to capture the events depicted. True to the mark of a true entertainer, these depictions don’t act as a distraction from the storyline but rather build upon it, adding a fun new dimension.

Like the previous book, “The Extraordinarily Ordinary Life of Prince: Everybody’s Good at Something” is accessible to early readers (6 to 8 years old) but it can be read to children of all ages. In fact, parents or any adult immersed in the world of children could somehow benefit from this moving story told by Prince A. Sanders. It’s a wonderful tale that can inspire children to pursue their dreams and adults to harbor the often fragile dreams of childhood.